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SAN DIEGO -- Looking at the runners in the finish area, it was easy to see who had run well and who was disappointed after the 43rd Champs National Cross Country Championships Saturday at Balboa Park's Morley Field.
While runners from other parts of the country were walking around, talking to friends and family about their race, the West runners, of whom seven of the 10 were from California, were either sitting or lying on the grass trying to catch their breath.
With their fourth big meet in as many weeks following their respective section finals, the CIF-State Championships in Fresno, and the Champs West Regionals at Mt. SAC, the Golden State contingent looked like a tired bunch. They were.
Regional titlist Sadie Engelhardt, a sophomore from Ventura (CA) HS, was never really a factor up front as she placed 10th overall in 17:41.4, six places and 10 seconds better than a year ago, earning second team All-American honors.
La Jolla High's Chiara Dailey, the only freshman boy or girl among the 80 qualifiers from across the country, was four places back in 14th at 17:51.7 and was honored as a third team All-American.
The next Golden State runner was Rocklin (CA) Whitney (SJ) senior Katie Kopec, a two-time Sac-Joaquin Section champion heading to Oregon State, who was back in 28th among 36 finishers at 18:28.6.
Engelhardt did make a move to get into the top 10 past the midway point but never really threatened New York's Karrie Baloga, who won at 16:49.2, or Northeast teammate Ellie Shea, an 11th-grader out of Belmont, Mass., who also broke 17 in second at 16:55.1.
"Everyone anticipates the hill," said Engelhardt (pictured in blue below) of the steep incline that is often easier on the runners tackling the even steeper downhill. "The Mt. SAC course prepared me for that hill but not the rolling hills elsewhere on the course.
"The first mile was a lot faster this year but I felt better. I was done by the 800 mark last year. This is how it was supposed to be but this hasn't been the greatest year. I got sick after Woodbridge, then got sick again and sick again.
"I'd call my effort today gritty. I know I should be satisfied because I'm only about 90 percent."
Engelhardt also is one of the nation's best on the track.
"It's a different mentality," said the sophomore of running on the 400-meter track. "Here there are hills, but there's none of that in track.
"Still, this year was better than last. I went out like a rocket (in 2021). This is so mentally taxing and next year I plan to be mentally tougher."
Bologa was running in her third national championship and this time she definitely got it right.
She went out hard with Shea and Ciara O'Shea (fifth in 17:21.5) and when O'Shea fell back, Iowa's Paityn Noa made a charge at the top of the pack.
But no one ran as smoothly or confidently as Baloga, who was the top returning runner after placing fourth a year ago, 14 seconds back of the winner, Texas' Natalie Cook.
"There's a real advantage having been here before," said Baloga. "I ran with 100 percent confidence because as a freshman I just got the feel of sleeping in the hotel, coming to West Coast and adapting to new things.
"As an 11th grader I had more experience but I messed up.
"I knew I had it in me. I was fourth last year and I'm stronger and older. I visualize so many things and I didn't hold back; I took charge. It comes down to how much you believe in yourself. I was living in the moment and when I got to the finish line, I just smiled, absorbing everything."
For Dailey, whose parents both ran in this meet as high schoolers in Texas, just started running this fall and had a magical season. She had a huge fanbase wearing coordinated t-shirts and cheering her every mention.
But even the freshman realized it wasn't her day.
"I knew from the beginning," said Dailey of when she knew she had little chance to win after the first mile was sizzling. "There were a lot of good people in that race. In the middle of the race I felt comfortable and was kind of in a daze. After this, I know I have a lot of room to improve."
How untested is Dailey?
When she hits the track this spring, she will be running races like the 800, 1600 and 3200 for the very first time.
"I'm looking forward to it and coming back here (Chanmps) next year," she said.
Steve Brand is a freelance writer and a regular contributor to MileSplit.
Photos by Phil Grooms